Building escape railing system

ABSTRACT

A building escape railing system for mounting on a building and facilitating the rescue of persons and the access of emergency personnel and supplies to the building is disclosed. The building escape railing system includes at least one platform tracking for engaging the building and a vehicle engaging the at least one track for vertically transversing the at least one track. In one embodiment, the vehicle is a lift unit. In another embodiment, the vehicle is a rescue platform. In still another embodiment, the vehicle is a remote fire hose platform carrying a fire hose. In yet another embodiment, the vehicle is a brake mechanism that facilitates the gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of co-pending U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 60/640,919, filed on Dec. 30, 2004, by thesame inventor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems that facilitaterescue or escape of persons from a building during an emergency. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a novel building escaperailing system which includes tracks that can be attached to theexterior of a building to facilitate the vertical travel of escapeplatforms, scaffolding, traveling fire hoses and the like, on thebuilding during a fire or other emergency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

High-rise buildings such as apartments, office buildings and the likeare equipped with fire escape stairways having an access on each floorfor persons to escape the building in the event of a fire or otheremergency. To escape from the building, occupants typically must leavetheir rooms or apartments and traverse a hallway at the end of which isa door leading to the fire escape stairway. However, if the fire hasprogressed into the hallway, some of the occupants, unable to passbeyond the location of the fire, may become trapped in their rooms orapartments. Such persons frequently must wait for firefighting personnelto arrive in order to escape from the building.

As firefighting personnel arrive at the location of a burning building,a ladder can be extended from the fire truck and placed at the openingsof windows to enable building occupants to escape from the buildingthrough the windows. While firefighters have improved life-savingtechniques over the years, it may be difficult for firefightingpersonnel to place a ladder at every window in the building throughwhich persons need to escape the building. Moreover, in the saving ofpersons trapped in a burning building, time is critical since, dependingon the severity of the fire, some persons in the building may perish dueto the fire or smoke inhalation if such persons are not quickly provideda means of escape from the building.

As firefighting personnel attempt to rescue persons from a burningbuilding, fire hoses are used to direct pressurized water against thefire in an effort to extinguish the fire. In some situations, it may bedifficult for the personnel to properly place or position the fire hoseinto close proximity to the fire, particularly if a large portion of thefire is on the interior of the building. In such instances, heat fromthe fire may render it difficult for personnel to sufficiently approachthe fire through the building interior to extinguish the fire.

Accordingly, there is a need for a building escape railing system whichincludes platform tracks that are provided on the exterior of a buildingand platforms or scaffolding which travel vertically on the platformtracks to facilitate the timely rescue or escape of persons from thebuilding, the lifting of firefighting or other emergency personneland/or supplies to selected levels on the building and the remotepositioning of a fire hose into proximity with a fire in order toextinguish the fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a building escape railing system which canbe mounted to the exterior of a building to facilitate the expedited ortimely escape or rescue of persons from the building in the case of afire, gas leak, chemical spill or other emergency. The building escaperailing system includes multiple platform tracks mounted to the exteriorsurface of the building. A rescue scaffold is mounted for verticaltravel on one or a pair of the platform tracks. A lift platform mayadditionally be mounted on one of the platform tracks. A remote firehose platform may be mounted for vertical travel on another of theplatform tracks. Accordingly, the rescue scaffold can be used tofacilitate the expeditious escape of persons from the building through awindow or other opening in the building during the fire or otheremergency and/or to deliver firefighting personnel and/or supplies fromthe ground to a selected level of the building through a window oropening, for example. Additionally, the remote fire hose platform may beused to raise a fire hose to a selected level on the building in orderto spray water on an interior fire through a window or opening in thebuilding. Moreover, the lift platform may be used to facilitate thelifting of firefighting personnel and/or supplies to selected levels onthe building. The invention may further include a brake mechanism, whichis mounted on a platform track and facilitates the gravity-assistedescape of persons from the building.

In one general aspect of the present invention, a building escaperailing system is provided for facilitating the expeditious or timelyescape or rescue of persons from a building during an emergency. Thesystem comprises:

at least one platform track mounted on the exterior of the building; and

an escape scaffold mounted for vertical travel on the at least oneplatform track in such a manner that the escape scaffold can bevertically positioned adjacent to a window or other opening in thebuilding to enable a person or persons in the building to crawl throughthe window or opening and onto the escape platform or scaffold, afterwhich the escape platform or scaffold can be lowered to the ground.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the escape scaffold isfitted with a lift unit which includes a motor that operably engages theat least one platform track to selectively raise and lower the escapescaffold on the at least one platform track.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a lift platform engagesone of the platform tracks to facilitate the lifting of firefightingpersonnel and/or supplies to selected heights on the building. Theplatform may also be used to install a platform track on the buildingtypically in track segments, starting at the bottom and progressing upthe building with successive installation of the track segments.

In another aspect of the present invention, a remote fire hose platformis mounted on one of the platform tracks to facilitate the mounting of afire hose on the platform and remote spraying of a fire on the interiorof the building through a window or other opening at a selected heighton the building. The platform may also be fitted with other surveillanceequipment to aid in search and recovery or rescue efforts or forsecurity purposes.

In a still further aspect of the present invention, a brake mechanism isprovided on one of the platform tracks to facilitate gravity-assistedescape of a person or persons from the building.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an escape platform ismounted on a pair of parallel platform tracks, a lift platform ismounted on one of the platform tracks, a remote fire hose platform ismounted on another of the platform tracks, and a brake mechanism ismounted on still another of the platform tracks to facilitate multipletasks in the rescue or escape of persons from and/or the extinguishingof a fire in a building.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially in section) of a high-risebuilding, illustrating multiple platform tracks mounted on the exteriorof the building and a lift platform, a rescue scaffold, a remote firehose platform and a brake mechanism of the present invention mounted onthe platform tracks;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable hydraulic brakeunit of a brake mechanism of the building escape railing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the hydraulic brakeunit;

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the hydraulic brake unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform trackelement of the invention, illustrating an illustrative technique forattaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the platform track of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform trackelement of the invention, illustrating an alternative technique forattaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the platform track of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front view of another embodiment of the platform track;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a double-track configuration of theplatform track in another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable lift platformof the building escape railing system of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, partially in section, of an example of asuitable lift unit mounted on the lift platform of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top view, partially in section, of the lift platform ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pair of adjacent frame members for arescue scaffold of the building escape railing system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rescue scaffold, mounted on a pairof platform rails;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable remote firehose platform of the building escape railing system of the presentinvention, with a fire hose mounted on the remote fire hose platform;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire hose, shown insection, which is suitable for implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a coupling end portion of a fire hosesegment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pair of attached or coupled segmentsof the fire hose;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable control boxfor the remote fire hose platform and fire hose;

FIG. 23 is a side view of a suitable slip clutch assembly, partially insection, of the brake mechanism of the building escape railing system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the brake mechanism engaging a platform track;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the brake mechanism engaging the platformtrack;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the brake mechanism mounted on a platformtrack; and

FIG. 27 is a side view of the brake mechanism, illustrating interiorcomponents of the brake mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the Figures, the present invention is generallydirected to a building escape railing system which can be mounted to theexterior of a building to facilitate the expedited or timely escape orrescue of persons from the building in the case of a fire, gas leak,chemical spill or other emergency, as well as to lift firefighting orother rescue personnel and/or supplies to a selected vertical level onthe building. Although the system of the present invention is describedthroughout the application in the context of emergency escape from abuilding, it should be understood that the system is useful for any of anumber of non-emergency, non-escape type situations. For example, thevarious features of the system, such as the scaffolding, areparticularly useful for performing a variety of building maintenancetype operations. In another example, landmark buildings that becomehigh-risk targets for terrorists could be adorned with surveillance anddefensive equipment that may be remotely operated.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment ofthe building escape railing system of the present invention is generallyindicated by reference numeral 1. The building escape railing system 1is designed for mounting on the exterior of a high-rise building 2, suchas an apartment or office building, for example. For purposes ofillustration and discussion herein, the building 2 includes a buildingfront 3, a building side 4, a building side 5, a building back 6, inwhich windows (not illustrated) are typically provided, and a buildingtop 7. The building escape railing system 1 typically includes at leastone lift platform 28 which is mounted for selective vertical travel on aplatform track 10, at least one rescue scaffold 52 for selectivevertical travel on a pair of parallel platform tracks 10, a remote firehose platform 66 for selective vertical travel on a platform track 10,and a brake mechanism 129 mounted on a platform track 10. It is to beunderstood that the building escape railing system 1 may incorporate anyof these features individually or in combination with any, some or allof the others. In the example in FIG. 1, the platform track 10 on whichthe lift platform 28 is removably mounted is attached to the buildingside 4, whereas the platform tracks 10 which mount the rescue scaffold52, the remote fire hose platform 66 and the brake mechanism 129 areremovably attached to the building front 3. However, it is understoodthat the platform tracks 10 for each of the lift platform 28, the rescuescaffold 52, the remote fire hose platform 66 and the brake mechanism129 may be mounted on any of the exterior surfaces of the building 2,typically in close proximity to windows (not illustrated) to facilitatethe various purposes of the invention, as will be hereinafter furtherdescribed. Typically, only the platform tracks 10, without the liftplatform 28, rescue scaffold 52, remote fire hose platform 66 and/orbrake mechanism 129 mounted thereon, are on the building when thebuilding is not being engaged by fire/rescue personnel or formaintenance purposes.

Referring next to FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings, each platform track 10typically includes multiple track segments, illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 asa lower receiving track segment 11 and an upper track segment 12, whichare joined to each other in end-to-end relationship. The platform track10 is typically channel-shaped in cross-section, as is partiallyillustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the platform track 10 includes apair of interfacing track lips 13 and multiple, adjacent track pins 14which span the interior of the platform track 10. The track pins 14typically extend through respective pairs of pin openings 14 a providedin the respective sides of the platform track 10 and are welded inplace. A mounting plate 15 is welded or otherwise attached to the rearsurface of the platform track 10 and includes a pair of spaced-apartfastener openings 16 which facilitate attachment of the platform track10 to the building 2 (FIG. 1) with currently approved fasteners.

A holding pin 14 b having protruding ends extends through alignedholding pin openings (not illustrated) provided in the respective sidesof the upper track segment 12. A pair of attach pin openings 25 aextends through each side of the upper track segment 12, beneath therespective protruding ends of the holding pin 14 b.

A pair of spaced-apart, adjacent alignment tabs 17 extends upwardly fromrespective sides of the upper end of the lower receiving track segment11. A holding notch 22 is provided near the upper end of each alignmenttab 17. A pair of attachment pin openings 23 extends through eachalignment tab 17, beneath the holding notch 22. Track pins 14 c (FIG. 9)which extend through openings (not illustrated) provided in the lowerreceiving track segment 11 also extend through respective track pinopenings (not illustrated) provided in each alignment tab 17, beneaththe attach pin openings 23, to mount each alignment tab 17 on thecorresponding side of the lower receiving track segment 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower receiving track segment 11 isattached to the upper track segment 12 by initially causing engagementof the holding notches 22 in the respective alignment tabs 17 with therespective protruding ends of the holding pin 14 b. An attach pin 24 isthen extended through the upper pair of attach pin openings 23 in therespective alignment tabs 17 and through the registering upper pair ofattach pin openings 25 a in the upper track segment 12. In like manner,an attach pin 25 is extended through the lower pair of attach pinopenings 23 in the respective alignment tabs 17 and through theregistering lower pair of attach pin openings 25 a in the upper tracksegment 12. The platform track 10 is mounted to the building 2 (FIG. 1)typically by extending fasteners (not illustrated) through therespective fastener openings 16 of each mounting plate 15 and engagingthe building 2. Fastener selection is suited to the exteriorconstruction of the building in which track 10 is to be installed. Whentrack 10 is installed in an emergency on a building not alreadyequipped, temporary fasteners may be used and later replaced withpermanent suitable fasteners.

Referring next to FIGS. 5-7 of the drawings, in another embodiment ofthe invention, the platform track 10 a includes multiple track segments,here shown as a lower track segment 11 a and an upper track segment 12a, using an alternative mechanism to that heretofore described withrespect to FIGS. 8-10. Accordingly, a pair of alignment tabs 17 aextends downwardly from the lower end of the upper track segment 12 a.Alignment notches 19 are provided in the lower ends of the respectivealignment tabs 17 a. A pair of shoulder bolt openings 18 is provided ineach alignment tab 17 a, above the alignment notch 19. Aligned pairs ofshoulder bolt openings 14 d extend through the upper end portion of thelower track segment 11 a. A holding pin 14 b having protruding endsextends through aligned openings (not illustrated) provided in the lowertrack segment 11 a, beneath the shoulder bolt openings 14 d.Accordingly, the upper track segment 12 a is attached to the lower tracksegment 11 a by initially causing engagement of the alignment notches 19in the lower ends of the alignment tabs 17 a with the respectiveprotruding ends of the holding pin 14 b. A shoulder bolt 20 is thenextended through each aligned pair of shoulder bolt openings 18 in therespective alignment tabs 17 a and through each registering pair ofaligned shoulder bolt openings 14 d in the upper end portion of thelower track segment 11 a. A securing nut 21 is threaded on each shoulderbolt 20. Alternately during an emergency installation attachment pins 25and 24, instead of the shoulder bolts 20 and securing nuts 21, may beused as in FIG. 10, to join the tracks together, thus expediting theinstallation. Subsequently, pins 25 and 24 can be replaced with shoulderbolts 20 and nuts 21.

Referring next to FIG. 11 of the drawings, in still another embodimentof the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral 10b. In the platform track 10 b, the track pins 14 protrude from oppositesides of the respective track lips 13 of the platform track 10 b.

Referring next to FIG. 12 of the drawings, in still another embodimentof the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral 10c. The platform track 10 c includes a pair of adjacent platform tracks10 heretofore described with respect to FIG. 8-10, which are welded orotherwise attached to each other in side-by-side relationship to eachother. The platform track 10 c is characterized by enhanced strength andrigidity as compared to the platform tracks 10, 10 a and 10 b heretoforedescribed. It should be noted that additional alignment tabs or pins(not shown) may be used in conjunction with any track embodiment,according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, as deemednecessary to facilitate precise alignment of the track components witheach other depending on alignment precision requirements.

Referring next to FIGS. 13-15 of the drawings, an example of a liftplatform 28, which is suitable for implementation of the building escaperailing system 1, includes a cart frame 42 that typically includes abase portion 42 a and a frame portion 42 b that extends from the baseportion 42 a. A retractable platform 43 is provided typically on thebase portion 42 a of the cart frame 42. A pair of platform supports 44may extend between the base portion 42 a of the cart frame 42 and theretractable platform 43 for stabilizing purposes. A lift unit 29 ismounted on the cart frame 42. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the lift unit29 includes a drive motor mount bracket 31, which is mounted on theframe portion 42 b of the cart frame 42. A drive motor 30 is mounted onthe drive motor mount bracket 31. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the drivemotor 30 engages a driven sprocket 32, having sprocket teeth 33, througha drive shaft 38. The drive shaft 38 is rotatably mounted in at leastone pillow block 37, which is mounted on the frame portion 42 b of thecart frame 42. It should be noted that more than one drive motor 30 maybe used as needed to suit load requirements, and may be located on thecart frame 42 in various locations as needed. Omitted from FIGS. 13, 14and 15 is a protective cover that may be fitted to the cart frame 42 toprotect persons from contact with the sprocket 32, and safety barriersthat may be provided around the perimeter of the platform 43.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a guide bracket 35 extends rearwardly fromthe cart frame 42. Multiple guide brackets 35 may extend from the cartframe 42 at multiple locations as needed to suit load requirements.Multiple alignment rollers 36 are rotatably mounted on each side of theguide bracket 35. A roller support 34 is provided on the cart frame 42and extends on each side of the guide bracket 35. An alignment roller 36a is rotatably mounted on the roller support 34 on each side of theplatform track 10. Each alignment roller 36 a is disposed insubstantially perpendicular relationship to the alignment rollers 36.Accordingly, as further illustrated in FIG. 14, when the lift platform28 is mounted on a platform track 10, the guide bracket 35 is slidablymounted in the platform track 10 between the adjacent track lips 13(FIG. 10). As illustrated in FIG. 15, one pair of the alignment rollers36 is positioned inside the platform track 10 and engages the respectivetrack lips 13, whereas the other pair of alignment rollers 36 engagesthe exterior surface of the platform track 10. The alignment rollers 36a engage the respective exterior side surfaces of the platform track 10.As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sprocket teeth 33 of the drivensprocket 32 on the lift unit 29 engage the track pins 14 of the platformtrack 10. Therefore, by operation of the drive motor 30, the drivensprocket 32 is rotated and the sprocket teeth 33 progressively engagethe track pins 14 to selectively raise or lower the lift unit 29 on theplatform track 10. Directional controls 48 for the lift unit 29 may beprovided in any accessible location on the lift platform 28. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, an engine 50, which is one example of a powersource for providing hydraulic power for the drive motor 30, may besupported typically by the base portion 42 a of the cart frame 42.Although not shown in FIG. 13, a hydraulic fluid reservoir for engine 50and a length of hosing connecting the engine 50 to the motor 30, areprovided.

The lift platform 28 is typically configured to detachably engage theplatform track 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, four spaced-apartwheel support frames 45 extend downwardly from the base portion 42 a ofthe cart frame 42. Dolly wheels 46 are rotatably mounted to therespective wheel support frames 45 via wheel axles 47. The dolly wheels46 engage the ground (not illustrated) when the lift platform 28 engagesthe lower track segment 11 of the platform track 10, thus allowing thelift platform 28 to be wheeled by hand to and from needed locations whenthe lift platform 28 is detached from the platform track 10. Althoughnot illustrated, the retractable platform section 43 is provideddisposed in a retracted configuration, and the cart frame 42 is provideddisposed in a folded, storage or transport configuration.

Referring next to FIGS. 16 and 17 of the drawings, the rescue scaffold52 typically includes a pair of spaced-apart platform motor brackets 58,each of which mounts a corresponding lift unit 29 that engages one of apair of adjacent platform tracks 10 attached to the building 2,typically in the same manner as the lift unit 29 described above withrespect to the lift platform 28. A top platform support 53 extendshorizontally from each corresponding platform motor bracket 58. A legangle support 54 angles between the extending end of each top platformsupport 53 and the lower end of the corresponding platform motor bracket58. The ends of the leg angle support 54 may be removably attached tothe top platform support 53 and platform motor bracket 58, respectively,by safety hitch pins 55. A safety hitch pin 55 may, in like manner, beused to attach the proximal end of each top platform support 53 to thecorresponding platform motor bracket 58. Accordingly, by concertedoperation of the respective lift units 29, the rescue scaffold 52 can beselectively raised and lowered on the platform tracks 10 to facilitatelowering persons from the building 2 (FIG. 1) onto the ground and/orraising firefighting personnel from the ground to a selected height onthe building 2. Directional controls (not illustrated) for therespective lift units 29 may be provided at any accessible location onthe rescue scaffold 52. It should be noted that any number of platformtracks 10 and platform brackets 58 may be used to create a longerscaffold 52 as needed.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, an extendable scaffold platform 59 is mountedon the spaced-apart top platform supports 53 and attached by standardmeans. Multiple elongated safety rope supports 57 extend upwardly fromthe upper surface of the extendable scaffold platform 59, adjacent tothe outer and side edges thereof. The safety rope supports 57 may befixedly or removably mounted on the extendable scaffold platform 59. Asafety rope 56 extends between the respective safety rope supports 57,typically adjacent to the upper ends thereof.

Referring next to FIGS. 18-21 of the drawings, a remote fire hoseplatform 66 of the building escape railing system 1 includes a platformmotor bracket 77 on which is mounted a lift unit 29 that engages aplatform track 10 typically in the same manner as heretofore describedwith respect to the lift platform 28. Accordingly, by operation of thelift unit 29, the remote fire hose platform 66 can be raised and loweredon the platform track 10 to position a fire hose 80 at a selectedvertical proximity to a fire in the building 2. A top platform support78 extends horizontally from the upper end of the platform motor bracket77, and a leg angle support 67 extends between the extending end of thetop platform support 78 and the lower end of the platform motor bracket77.

An elongated Y-axis lead screw housing 68 is mounted on the top platformsupport 78. A Y-axis motor 69 is provided on the Y-axis lead screwhousing 68. An X-axis housing 70 is mounted for traversal along theY-axis lead screw housing 68, and is disposed in transverse relationshipthereto, and an X-axis motor 71 is provided on the X-axis housing 70. Anaccessory platform 72 is mounted for traversal along the X-axis housing70. The Y-axis motor 69 engages the X-axis housing 70 through a leadscrew (not illustrated). The X-axis motor 71 likewise engages theaccessory platform 72 through a lead screw (not illustrated). The firehose 80 is adapted to be removably mounted on the accessory platform 72.The fire hose 80 is typically fitted with a nozzle X-axis swivel motor73, a nozzle Z-axis swivel motor 74, a nozzle 75 and a shutoff valvemotor 76. Additionally other control motors may be employed to controlthe nozzle spray pattern.

Referring again to FIG. 18 and to FIGS. 19-21, the fire hose 80typically includes multiple hose segments 92 which are removablyconnected to each other through swivel connectors 90 that are secured byclamp halves 82, 83. Each swivel connector 90 typically includes a maleNPT end 90 a on one hose segment 92 which engages a female NPT end 90 bon the adjacent hose segment 92. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a pair ofwire rope terminal eyes 89 is typically provided on the end of each hosesegment 92. The wire rope functions to remove weight loading from thehose material, and is transferred to the cables which are typicallyslightly shorter than the hose. Each hose segment 92 is typicallyconstructed of a standard flat fire hose 86 which is covered by afire-proof jacket 84, typically by stitching 85. Each hose segment 92 istypically fitted with a power and control cable 87 that is removablyattached to the power and control cable 87 of the adjacent hose segment92 through a disconnect connector 88. The power and control cable 87typically extends through a wire rope support 91 that extends beneaththe fireproof jacket 84.

Referring next to FIG. 22, a conventional control box 94 for the remotefire hose platform 66 and the remote fire hose 80 is provided, includinga lid 95 hingedly attached to a control box bottom 105. The control boxbottom 105 is fitted with various controls for operation of the remotefire hose 80 as well as operation of the various components of theremote fire hose platform 66 including the Y-axis motor 69, the X-axismotor 71, the nozzle X-axis swivel motor 73, and the nozzle Z-axisswivel motor 74. The control box 94 may include, for example, a sourcepower selection knob 96; a control selection knob 97; sweep patterncollection buttons 98; a sweep pattern speed knob 99; a nozzle axisjoystick 100; an X-axis control switch 101; a Z-axis control switch 102;a Z-axis move button 103; a Z-axis direction selection switch 104; anozzle stream control joystick 106; a camera pan/tilt joystick 107; anda glass break actuator button 108. A control/power connector 109 isprovided typically in the control box bottom 105, and an input powersupply connector (not shown) is provided typically in the box bottom105. The control box 94 may also include controls which facilitatebi-directional operation of the lift unit 29 (FIG. 18) of the remotefire hose platform 66 in order to facilitate positioning of the nozzle75 of the fire hose 80 at a selected vertical position with respect tothe ground for extinguishing a fire in the building 2 (FIG. 1).Additionally, by operation of the control box 94, the Y-axis motor 69 ofthe remote fire hose platform 66 (FIG. 18) can be actuated to move theX-axis housing 70 along the Y-axis lead screw housing 68 and theaccessory platform 72 along the X-axis housing 70 in order to facilitatedesired X-axis and Y-axis positioning, respectively, of the nozzle 75 onthe fire hose 80 with respect to the fire in the building 2. Attached tothe inside lid 95 is a monitor 110 for viewing image data from a cameramounted on the accessory platform 72. This aids the direction of astream of water directed toward burning objects in target range of saidnozzle 75 in building 2. Control box 94 is typically controlled by meansof a micro controller or other programmable method, which enables theoverall functions to be modified as needed and to grow with thisdeveloping technology.

Referring next to FIGS. 23-27 of the drawings, the brake mechanism 129(FIG. 1) includes a housing 150 through which extends an elongated slot151 (FIG. 26) that accommodates a carabeaner 152. As illustrated in FIG.27, a machined gear pocket 165 extends from a front edge of the housing150 and accommodates a sprocket 167 rotatably mounted on an axle 166.The sprocket 167 includes sprocket teeth 167 a that engages the trackpins 14 of the platform track 10 on which the brake mechanism 129 ismounted, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. Adjacent to the sprocket andfixedly attached to it is a spur gear, which rotates with the sprocket167.

Actuator levers 153 are mounted on the respective sides of the housing150. Each actuator lever 153 preferably includes a lip (not illustrated)to facilitate gripping with a user's fingertips. Each actuator lever 153is normally maintained in a locked position by a safety release 154.Upon depression of the safety release 154, the actuator lever 153 can bedrawn backwards toward the slot 151. Each actuator lever 153 is linkedto a rotating sleeve 172 through a cross pin 155 which connects bothactuator levers 153 to each other and passes through a helical slot 156,restraining slot 157, and a safety dowel 158. A rotating sleeve 172 isretained in the housing 150 by retaining dowels 162, which engagegrooves 159 cut around the circumference of the rotating sleeve 172. Theretaining dowels 162 are press-fit in the housing 150 and slip-fit withthe groove 159. This allows the sleeve 172 to be retained in the housing150 and allows only rotational movement of the sleeve. Rotating sleeves172 are inset in a counter bore machined into the housing 150, and acounter bore 163 of smaller diameter than the rotating sleeves isprovided to allow the safety dowel 158 to be displaced into the housing150 upon actuation. When the actuator lever 153 is pulled, the actuatorcross pins 155 can only move within the restraining slot 157, whichcreates movement up the helical groove 156, as the cross pins 155 exitthe straight locking section and contact the helix portion of the groove159, the sleeve 172 is forced to rotate. As the cross pins 155 continueto move, they act on the a return spring 160, which is located insidethe rotating sleeve 172 and coils around the safety dowel 158, bycompressing the return spring 160 between the housing 150 and the crosspin 155. As the safety dowel 158 moves, it passes a cross opening forsafety pin 161 and continues into the housing 150. A ball lock pin 164is provided on the exterior of the housing 150. In the event that theball lock pin 164 is inserted through the cross opening for safety pin161, the ball lock pin 164 would prevent movement of the safety dowel158 beyond the safety pin 161, and thus, prevent accidental actuation ofthe rotating sleeves 172.

Inside track rollers 169 are retained on the end of the rotating sleeve172 by an axle pin 170. When the actuator lever 153 is actuated, theinside track rollers 169 are displaced 90 degrees from their locked orfunctional position. This positional displacement allows the insidetrack rollers 169 to enter the platform track 10. When the inside trackrollers 169 are located inside the platform track 10, the actuatorlevers 153 are released such that the return spring 160 acts on theactuator cross pins 155, pushing them back down the helical groove 156and returning the rotating sleeve back into the original position. Thisaction returns the inside track rollers 169 to their functional positionin which they engage the track lips 13 of the platform track 10, asillustrated in FIG. 25. Once in position, outside track rollers 171provided on respective sides of the housing 150 engage the exteriorsurfaces of the platform track 10, as further illustrated in FIG. 25. Atthat point, the ball lock pin 164 (FIG. 27) can be inserted in the crossopening for safety pin 161 to prevent accidental actuation of theactuation lever 153.

When the brake mechanism 129 is mounted on the platform track 10 in themanner heretofore described, the teeth 167 a of the sprocket 167 meshwith the track pins 14 of the platform track 10, as illustrated in FIGS.24 and 25. A harness (not illustrated) suitable for holding a person(not illustrated) can be attached to the brake mechanism 129 tofacilitate gravity-assisted escape of the person from the building 2(FIG. 1) during an emergency. Accordingly, when the person (notillustrated) is retained in the harness (not illustrated) and bearinghis or her weight on the brake mechanism 129, the brake mechanism 129has a tendency to move down the platform track 10 under the influence ofgravity. Because the sprocket 167 meshes with the track pins 14, thesprocket 167 rotates and the sprocket teeth 167 a progressively engagethe track pins 14. As further illustrated in FIG. 27, a compound gear168 is rotatably mounted inside the housing 150 and meshes with the spurgear attached to sprocket 167. The compound gear 168 establishes a gearreduction that reduces the braking force that required to be appliedagainst the platform track 10 by the brake mechanism 129. The last gear(not illustrated) meshing with compound gear 168 is coupled to both ahydraulic brake unit 130 (the details of which will be hereinafterdescribed) and a manual brake unit 149 which are mounted on oppositesides of the housing 150, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. Therestricted flow of hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) contained in thehydraulic brake unit 130 controls the speed of rotation of the last gear(not illustrated) meshed with compound gear 168. This, in turn, controlsthe rate of descent of the person retained in the harness (notillustrated). The manual brake unit 149 serves as an initial parkingbrake that must be released by the person to initiate descent of thebrake mechanism 129 on the platform track 10. The manual brake unit 149also enables the person to selectively halt descent of the brakemechanism 129 on the platform track 10 at any point during the descent.Furthermore, the initial parked state of the brake mechanism 129,facilitated by the manual brake unit 149, allows a person in awheelchair (not illustrated) to be hoisted out a window (notillustrated) in the building 2 (FIG. 1) by means of a snatch block (notillustrated) and then descend the building 2 on the brake mechanism 129.

Referring next to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, the hydraulic brake unit130 of the brake mechanism 129 typically includes a housing 133 torespective ends of which are attached a chamber cover 132 and a chambercover 134, respectively, typically using multiple cover screws 131 andlong screws 123. As illustrated in FIG. 3, multiple tapped cover screwopenings 140 are provided in respective surfaces of the housing 133 andmultiple long screw openings 141 extend through the housing 133 foraccommodating the cover screws 131 and the long screws 123,respectively. A plate 148 provided inside the housing 133 separates theinterior of the housing 133 into a reservoir chamber 143 (FIG. 3) and ahydraulic chamber 147 (FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of ballcheck valves 142 is provided on the surface of the plate 148 interfacingwith the reservoir chamber 143. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair ofhydraulic ports 138 is provided in the opposite surface of the plate 148interfacing with the hydraulic chamber 147 of the housing 133. A largeorifice opening 145, each of which communicates with the correspondingball check valve 142, is provided in each hydraulic port 138 and extendsthrough the plate 148. A small orifice opening 144 also extends throughthe plate 148, adjacent to each large orifice opening 145. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the chamber cover 134 closes the reservoirchamber 143, whereas the chamber cover 132 closes the hydraulic chamber147. In the assembled hydraulic brake unit 130, hydraulic fluid (notillustrated) is contained in the hydraulic chamber 147. A reserve ofhydraulic fluid contained in the reservoir chamber 143 may bedistributed into the hydraulic chamber 147 through the ball check valves142 and retuned through small orifice 144, which creates the restrictedhydraulic flow needed to control rotational speed. Check valves 142 areoriented in opposite directions, thus allowing bi-directional restrictedrotation.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, an outer gerator gear 135, having acentral gear opening 135 a, is mounted in the hydraulic chamber 147. Aninner rotor gear 136 mounted on a gear shaft 136 a is configured to fitinside the gear opening 135 a of the outer gerator gear 135. The gearshaft 136 a is adapted to extend through a central plate opening 148 ain the plate 148 and through a central bearing or bushing 137 providedin the chamber covers 132, 134, respectively. O-rings 146 are typicallyprovided on the gear shaft 136 a to provide a fluid-tight seal of thegear shaft 136 a with the plate opening 148 a and chamber covers 132,134. A keyway cutout 139 is provided in the end of the gear shaft 136 a,extending to the exterior of the assembled hydraulic brake unit 130, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

In the brake mechanism 129 heretofore described with respect to FIGS.24-27, the last gear that meshes with compound gear 168 (FIG. 27)engages the gear shaft 136 a of the hydraulic brake unit 130, typicallythrough the keyway cutout 139. Accordingly, as the brake mechanism 129descends on the platform track 10 under the influence of gravity, theteeth 167 a of the sprocket 167 progressively engage the track pins 14of the platform track 10 as the sprocket 167 rotates in the machinedgear pocket 165. Simultaneously, the sprocket 167 rotates the gears ofthe compound gear 168, the last gear of which rotates the gear shaft 136a of the hydraulic brake unit 130. The gear shaft 136 a, in turn,rotates the inner rotor gear 136, which engages and rotates the outergerator gear 135 through the gear opening 135 a thereof. The hydraulicfluid (not illustrated) inside the hydraulic chamber 147 exerts frictionagainst the outer gerator gear 135, such that this friction istransmitted as rotational resistance to the sprocket 167 through thecompound gear 168. This rotational resistance slows the rate of descentof the brake mechanism 129 on the platform track 10, as heretoforedescribed.

Referring next to FIG. 23, a slip clutch assembly 116 for the hydraulicbrake unit 130 is shown. The slip clutch assembly 116 includes an innerclutch cap 117 and an outer clutch cap 118 which are spanned by a slipclutch housing 122. Multiple clutch plates 119 are provided between theinner clutch cap 117 and the outer clutch cap 118 for attachment to thegear shaft 136 a (FIG. 2) of the hydraulic brake unit 130. A pressurespring 120 is interposed between the clutch plates 119 and the outerclutch cap 118. Friction discs 121 are provided in alternatingrelationship to the clutch plates 119. A clutch shaft 124 is rotatablymounted in the inner clutch cap 117 and the outer clutch cap 118 and isattached to the clutch plates 119. The slip clutch assembly 116 ismounted to the hydraulic brake unit 130 typically through the longscrews 123 heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 2-4 andillustrated in FIG. 23. The long screws 123 typically extend throughrespective long screw openings (not illustrated) provided in the innerclutch cap 117 and outer clutch cap 118. The clutch shaft 124 of theslip clutch assembly 116 is connected to the gear shaft 136 a (FIG. 2)of the hydraulic brake unit 130.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in use of the building escaperailing system 1, one or multiple lift platforms 28, rescue scaffolds52, remote fire hose platforms 66, and/or brake mechanisms 129 can bemounted on the high-rise building 2 to facilitate the expedited andtimely escape of building occupants from the building 2, as well as theingress and egress of firefighting or other emergency personnel and/orequipment into and out of the building 2, during an emergency such as afire, gas leak or chemical spill, for example, in the building 2.Accordingly, the platform rails 10 for the lift platform(s) 28, rescuescaffold(s) 52, remote fire hose platform(s) 66 and/or brakemechanism(s) 129 are installed on the exterior of the building 2,typically adjacent to windows (not illustrated) or other openings in thebuilding 2. This is accomplished typically by, for example, extendingmounting bolts (not illustrated) through the fastener openings 16 (FIGS.8-10) of each of the multiple mounting plates 15 provided on theplatform track 10 and threading the mounting bolts into registering boltopenings (not illustrated) provided in the exterior of the building 2.Each lift platform 28, rescue scaffold 52, remote fire hose platform 66and/or brake mechanism 129 is then mounted on the corresponding platformtrack 10 or pair of adjacent platform tracks 10 (in the case of therescue scaffold 52) for vertical traversal of the platform tracks 10.

During the fire or other emergency situation, the lift platform 28 istypically used to hoist supplies (not illustrated) or emergencypersonnel (not illustrated), for example, from the ground to selectedlevels on the building 2, typically through a window or other opening inthe building 2. The supplies or emergency personnel are supported by theretractable platform 24 during ascending of the lift platform 28 on theplatform track 10. Alternatively, the lift platform 28 may be used tolower persons from the building 2 safely onto the ground as the personsare supported by the retractable platform 24. The rescue scaffold 52 istypically used to lower multiple persons from the building 2 safely ontothe ground, although the rescue scaffold 52 could alternatively oradditionally be used to transport emergency personnel and/or suppliesbetween the ground and selected levels on the building 2 as the persons,emergency personnel and/or supplies are supported by the extendablescaffold platform 59. The remote fire hose platform 66 is used tovertically and horizontally position the fire hose 80 into proximitywith a fire in the building 2, typically through a window or otheropening in the building 2. The brake mechanism 129 is typically used asa means of gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building 2.Accordingly, a person in the building can place himself in a harness(not illustrated) which is attached to the brake mechanism 129 and ridethe brake mechanism 129 down the platform rail 10 to safety on theground, as was heretofore described.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, it will be recognized and understood that various modificationscan be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A building escape railing system for mounting on a building,comprising: at least one generally vertical platform track for engagingthe building; and a vehicle engaging said at least one platform trackand adapted to vertically traverse said at least one platform track. 2.The building escape railing system of claim 1 further comprising a liftunit carried by said vehicle for engaging said at least one platformtrack and selectively raising and lowering said vehicle on said at leastone platform track.
 3. The building escape railing system of claim 2wherein said vehicle comprises a lift platform.
 4. The building escaperailing system of claim 2 wherein said vehicle comprises a rescuescaffold.
 5. The building escape railing system of claim 2 wherein saidvehicle comprises a remote fire hose platform and further comprising afire hose carried by said remote fire hose platform.
 6. The buildingescape railing system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises a brakemechanism.
 7. The building escape railing system of claim 1 wherein saidat least one platform track comprises a pair of spaced-apart track lipsand a plurality of track pins extending between said pair ofspaced-apart track lips.
 8. The building escape railing system of claim7 wherein said at least one platform track comprises a pair of adjacentplatform tracks attached to each other.
 9. A building escape railingsystem for mounting on a building, comprising: at least one platformtrack for engaging the building; a vehicle engaging said at least oneplatform track and adapted to vertically traverse said at least oneplatform track; and a lift unit having a drive motor carried by saidvehicle and a driven sprocket drivingly engaged by said drive motor andengaging said at least one platform track.
 10. The building escaperailing system of claim 9 wherein said vehicle comprises a liftplatform.
 11. The building escape railing system of claim 10 whereinsaid lift platform comprises a base portion, a frame portion carried bysaid base portion and a platform carried by said base portion.
 12. Thebuilding escape railing system of claim 11 further comprising aplurality of dolly wheels carried by said base portion of said liftplatform.
 13. The building escape railing system of claim 9 wherein saidvehicle comprises a rescue scaffold.
 14. The building escape railingsystem of claim 13 wherein said rescue scaffold comprises at least oneplatform motor bracket, at least one top platform support carried bysaid at least one platform motor bracket, at least one leg angle supportextending between said at least one platform motor bracket and said atleast one top platform support and a scaffold platform carried by saidat least one top platform support, and wherein said lift unit is carriedby said platform motor bracket.
 15. The building escape railing systemof claim 9 wherein said vehicle comprises a remote fire hose platformand further comprising a fire hose carried by said remote fire hoseplatform.
 16. The building escape railing system of claim 15 whereinsaid remote fire hose platform comprises a platform motor bracket, a topplatform support carried by said platform motor bracket, a leg anglesupport extending between said platform motor bracket and said topplatform support and a scaffold platform carried by said top platformsupport, and wherein said lift unit is carried by said platform motorbracket; a first lead screw housing carried by said top platformsupport; a second lead screw housing carried by said first lead screwhousing; and an accessory platform carried by said second lead screwhousing, and wherein said fire hose is carried by said accessoryplatform.
 17. A building escape railing system for mounting on abuilding, comprising: at least one platform track for engaging thebuilding; a brake mechanism engaging said at least one platform trackand adapted to vertically traverse said at least one platform track; andwherein said brake mechanism comprises a housing, a sprocket rotatablycarried by said housing, a gear assembly engaging said sprocket and ahydraulic brake unit engaging said gear assembly.
 18. The buildingescape railing system of claim 17 further comprising a control slotprovided in said housing and a carabeaner extending through said controlslot.
 19. The building escape railing system of claim 17 furthercomprising at least one pair of track rollers carried by said housingand engaging said at least one platform track.
 20. The building escaperailing system of claim 17 wherein said hydraulic brake unit comprises ahousing having a hydraulic chamber and a reservoir chamber disposed influid communication with said hydraulic chamber and a rotatable outergerator gear provided in said hydraulic chamber and engaged by said gearassembly.